About Nativity · Brandon, Florida
Nativity Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Brandon, Florida, founded in 1954 as a mission church and elevated to parish status in May 1960. The parish sits in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and serves more than 4,700 registered families through 68 weekly ministries. Liturgical life is bilingual (English and Spanish) and the parish operates Nativity Catholic School (PK-3 through 8th grade), a Food Bank & Pantry, a Hispanic Ministry, and a long-running mission partnership with La Victoria in the Dominican Republic.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Michael R. Smith (Father Mike Smith)
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
Nativity is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, yet parishioners describe it as having a 'hometown' feel with a 'caring' community and 'something for everyone.' With 68 weekly ministries — from Food Bank/Pantry outreach and the La Victoria Dominican Republic mission to LIFETEEN youth ministry, OCIA (becoming Catholic), bilingual Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and a parish school (PK-3 through 8th grade) — Nativity offers a full sacramental and faith-formation life for families of every background on East Brandon Boulevard in Brandon.
Mass times at Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (per Penance page)
- By appointment with a priest via the Parish Office (813) 681-4608
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel (adjusted during Lent for Stations of the Cross)
Parish History
In 1954, a petition to establish a Catholic Mission Church in Brandon was presented to Archbishop Joseph Hurley. He approved, and the Mission of Nativity was founded in Brandon, FL. Catholic families in the Brandon area raised money quickly to purchase land on East Brandon Boulevard where the church still stands. On December 18, 1955, the first Mass was celebrated in the building that now serves as part of the parish Social Hall. In May 1960 the Mission became a full parish, a school was founded, and a convent was built for the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity (later staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross) — that building is now the parish office.
- 1954: Mission founded under Archbishop Joseph Hurley
- Dec. 18, 1955: First Mass celebrated in the original hall (now Social Hall)
- May 1960: Elevated to parish status
- School founded and convent constructed
- Msgr. James Lara pastor (1969-1999, ~30 years): new Church, Chapel, Social Hall, school expansions, Novemberfest fall carnival
- Fr. Art Proulx, pastor 2004-2014: built Youth Center & Gymnasium, renovated Church, established stewardship parish model
- Fr. John Tapp, pastor from Christmas 2014: expanded social-justice ministries and stewardship
- Fr. Mike Smith (Rev. Michael R. Smith): current pastor
Ministries of Mercy (Outreach & Charity)
Nativity's 68 weekly ministries include a robust set of outreach and charity programs that have been central to parish life for decades.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Partners with La Victoria (PWLV) – Dominican Republic Mission
- Outreach – Food Bank (Warehouse) & Food Pantry (Distribution)
- Meals on Wheels
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Ministry
- Job Search & Preparation Ministry
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Children, youth, and adults can grow in faith through Faith Formation classes, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) for those becoming Catholic, and ongoing adult faith programming.
- Adult Faith & Become Catholic (OCIA)
- Faith Formation for children
- Catholic Ministry Appeal (Diocese of St. Petersburg partnership)
Youth Ministries
Middle school and high school youth are served by Nativity's two main youth programs, Life Force and Life Teen, supported by the on-campus Youth Center & Gymnasium built under Fr. Art Proulx.
- Life Force (Middle School)
- Life Teen (High School)
- Youth Center & Gymnasium facility
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical and Music ministries serve the parish's bilingual Mass schedule (English, Spanish, and an ASL-interpreted Saturday Vigil), supported by the parish chapel and main church.
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music Ministries
- Spanish-language Mass support
Parish Life, Prayer & Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care, Prayer, and Parish Life ministries support the everyday spiritual and communal life of the parish — including Prayer ministries, Pastoral Care, and the parish councils.
- Pastoral Care Ministries
- Prayer Ministries
- Parish Life Ministries
- Finance Council & Pastoral Council
- Communications
Ministerio Hispano (Hispanic Ministry)
Nativity has a vibrant Hispanic Ministry supporting a weekly Spanish-language Sunday Mass at 12:30 p.m., a Friday evening Spanish Mass at 7:00 p.m., and formation in Spanish for all ages.
- Sunday 12:30 p.m. Spanish Mass (main church)
- Friday 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. Spanish Vigil (Chapel)
- Faith Formation and Sacramental preparation in Spanish
Nativity Catholic School
On the same campus, Nativity Catholic School (PK-3 through 8th grade) is a fully accredited Catholic elementary school recognized for excellence by the Florida Catholic Conference. Faith is integrated throughout the academic day, with weekly Mass, service learning, and outreach partnerships with the parish.
- PK-3 through 8th grade
- Fully accredited; recognized by the Florida Catholic Conference
- Faith integration: weekly Mass, Charity N.U.T. Days, Thankful Thursdays (Food Pantry donations), Peanut Butter & Jelly Ministry, San Jose Mission Toy Drive (NJHS)
- Family Engagement: Partners of Nativity, Cougar Comrades, Homeroom Angels, Boosters
- Website: https://www.nativitycatholicschool.org/
About the Parish (Mission & Leadership)
Nativity Catholic Church states its mission as a 'welcoming community of disciples, building the Body of Christ through the Sacraments and living the Gospel.' Pastor Fr. Mike Smith leads the community, which serves over 4,700 families and 68 ministries in Brandon, Florida — words parishioners use to describe the parish include 'caring,' 'something for everyone,' and 'diversity.'
- Pastor: Rev. Michael R. Smith (Fr. Mike Smith)
- Pastoral Vicar and Deacon serve alongside the pastor
- Parishesoftware: PARISH SOFT (registered office)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (813) 681-4608
Visit, Contact & Location
All are welcome. Visitors can attend Mass or call the Parish Office at (813) 681-4608 for additional times of Confession or to make an appointment with a priest.
- Address: 705 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
- Phone: (813) 681-4608; Fax (per Diocese): (813) 653-9482
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.nativitycatholicchurch.org/
- Diocese listing: https://www.dosp.org/parishes/nativity-brandon/
- GCatholic listing: https://gcatholic.org/churches/usa-14/23344
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Archbishop Joseph Hurley (Diocese of St. Augustine)1954
Diocesan bishop who approved the founding Mission of Nativity in Brandon.
- Mission of Nativity (no pastor listed; first Mass Dec. 18, 1955 in current Social Hall)1954-1960
Mission status; elevated to parish status in May 1960.
- Msgr. James Lara1969-1999 (~30 years)
Longest-serving pastor (30 years). Oversaw construction of new Church, Chapel, Social Hall, multiple school expansions, convent for the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity (later Sisters of the Holy Cross), growth from a few hundred to thousands of families, and the founding of the famous Novemberfest fall carnival.
- Rev. Arthur J. Proulx (Fr. Art Proulx)2004-2014
Transformed Nativity into a modern stewardship parish; oversaw new building projects including the Youth Center & Gymnasium and a renovation of the Church; strengthened outreach to the poor; later transferred to lead seminary formation for the priesthood.
- Rev. John Tapp (Fr. John Tapp)2014 (Christmas) onward
Guided expansion of social-justice ministries and a renewed commitment to stewardship.
- Rev. Michael R. Smith (Fr. Mike Smith)current
Current pastor, leads the parish of more than 4,700 families.